The Nigerian National Association of the Deaf (NNAD) Headquarter said it has plans put in place to establish a Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.
Certification of members will be segregated into specialized certification, regional certification and National certification.
In a statement signed by the Secretary General, Engr. Timothy Adejumo, and made available to Inclusive News Network, INN, he said the National Executive Committee of NNAD, at one of its series of online meetings, unanimously agreed to set up the Nigeria Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (NRID) to train interpreters of the Deaf on code of professional conduct, ethics, etc and to certify them.
Mr Adejumo further added that efforts to ensure realization of the registry body will include setting up a committee to issue certificates after training the Interpreters.
NNAD will handle the affairs of the NRID until it is legalized to run independently. It will certify interpreters after they have been trained on ethics, etc. It is not just about teaching Sign Language.
It will also prepare tests for the interned interpreters as part of the certification requirements. The training and certification will be at yet to be decided fees.
“We believe this will go miles in improving our Nigerian Sign Language.” Adejumo said
When contacted by our correspondent, Adejumo further shed light on the subject, revealing core specifics about the three types of certification. These are the specialized certification, covering specialist fields like the sciences, law, etc, the Regional Certification, as we have Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba Sign Languages, and the National Certification (for those that can sign more than one Regional Sign Languages).
“We will partner with State chairmen of the Deaf Associations to enforce when it is time.” He said.
“There will be certification of intending Interpreters as well as continuous licensing. The NRID is to be headed by a Deaf person. NRID will also have full time staff and monies to run its affairs will be from fees, annual dues (that would lead to continuous certification), exams fee, selling of printed and standardized Sign Language books, etc”.
He thanked those that called in with goodwill after the statement was released and assured that all stakeholders will be carried along.
2 comments
A well come development. My name is Kabiru Hussaini Chairman of the Educational Sign Language Interpreters and Advocacy for People Living with Special need Condition in Jigawa State. On behalf of our association, how could we get in torched with the commitee of NRID to train our members in Jigawa state.
The NRID is not yet in effect. Maybe when it does, you will see it and apply. All you need to do it keep yourself updated with all our news to catch up with us when it comes